(Fairbanks) The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for chum salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026 through Thursday, December 31, 2026. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for chum salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All chum salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. As a reminder, sport fishing for king salmon is closed through September 30.

The Yukon River drainagewide summer chum salmon outlook is for a run size of 345,600 fish (range of 160,000 to 580,000 fish), which is below the drainagewide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1,200,000 fish. As of June 16, an estimated 16,632 summer chum salmon were counted past the Pilot Station sonar, compared to the historical median of 60,592. In accordance with the Yukon River Summer Chum Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 05.362), when the projected run size of summer chum salmon is 500,000 fish or less, the directed commercial, personal use, and sport fish chum fisheries will be closed. The pre-season forecast for fall chum salmon, which enter the Yukon River in late July, is also poor and is not expected to meet spawning escapement goals. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that chum salmon spawning escapement goals and subsistence needs in the Tanana River drainage will be met, sport fishing restrictions may be relaxed commensurate with run strength.

For additional information contact Andrew Gryska, Tanana Area Management Biologist, (907) 459-7339, or Brandy Baker, Tanana Assistant Area Management Biologist (907) 895-4637.

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